Great 1913 flood, Dayton, Ohio

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1913

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'Dayton. 06lo.

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Jlijotograpijic Contemplation of 0m of JJature'S

Cataclysms

With Respect To An Inland City, The Deluge at Dayton,
March 25, 19U, Was The Greatest Since The Days of Noah.

wrought and

N March 'J.-,, Dayton, strong and buoyanl in its more than a century's growth; hope-
ful and planning in the bright sunshine of past achievements and industrial pos-
sibilities; righteous and profane in accordance with the temperament of its
cosmopolitan population, was unmade. Flood and fire, undreamed of and appall-
ing, bore its beauty to the mire, dashed present hopes to the depths of stunning
loss, and made its population objects of the same kind of pity and abundant chari-
ty which had touched the quick of its human soul so many times when its
business, church, fraternal and commercial kin in other places suffered. In one
short week Dayton was unmade and born again. Her rippling Miami, unhar-
nessed and rebellious, wrought the destruction and now the placid, yet still
murky stream, sighs a mellow and eternal requiem over the havoc she

chimes entrance to Paradise of the hundred souls site claimed. Forty-

seven years ago the stream went on a similar rampage, and fifteen years ago water flowed through the
streets of Dayton; but not since L789 to 1792, when the troublesome Miami Indians gave cunning,
daring and relentless warfare to early settlers, has then' been such desolation and despair upon her
classic banks. Major Benjamin Stiles, Major John Stiles dans and Judge William Goforth negoti-
ated for the strip of territory lying between the Miami and Mad rivers on June 13, 1789, and they
called the site Venice. Yet only once during half a century has the community ever taken on the

appearance of ;i Venice, with boats and rafts and barges floating in her streets. Major stilus once
wrote: "What can give its currenl such velocity in the midst of so level a country is a matter of
astonishment to all who behold it," Writers of to-day voice the same sentiment — nor do they at-
tempt to explain the phenomenon of the deluge. The rain appeared to be only normal, yet the flood
was abnormal. Hut there remained in the embattered hulk of the Gem City that spark of virgin
strength, determination and plan which will undoubtedly make it a real gem in the diadem of its
country's municipalities. Although Dayton was well-nigh mortally wounded, yet she girded her
tattered garments about her shivering and bleeding form and pitched into the battle of reconstruc-
tion ami rehabilitation. The Gem City had to do it — there was no other course open, if she was to
live. To-daj she has practically recovered from her wounds, and gains strength steadily. Through
the kindly offices and gentle ministrations of sister cities and communities, she litis thrived on the
charity nursing and stands erect and without a totter. The city has buried her toll of dead;
through large forces she w'iped away the last vestige of her unpleasant battle with the elements;
properly aided by State and National authorities, ami her own inherent desire, she safeguarded her
health -until she stands a pillar of strength on the ashes of her past. It is probable that no citj
on earth ever took such rapid snides as did Dayton, once her flood waters receded. The majesty
of her enterprises lias asserted itself, and her citizenship has taken hold with a firm determination
in retrieve the losses. Memories alone will retain the horrors of the occasion, and events of the
future have been dated from March 25, 1913. What a short lime ago was a washed path of destruc-
tion is to-day a hive of industry, just as before the fatal day. Wrecked businesses and sundered
homes have been transformed into real commercial centers and havens of abode for a contented
ami happy people. In the presenci of a great disaster the human mind is appalled, the human
tongue is silent save in supplication for aid. and the human pen is often paralyzed. However, the
Mood of l ;i l :; directly affected 93,000 persons, 20,000 homes and entailed a property loss of approxi-
mately $200,1 ,000; Hie stretch of water was two miles wide, with a depth varying according to ele-
vation and depression of land from I to 26 feet; while the lives of thousands were in jeopardy, and
many answered the inexorable fiat of Nature. Emblazoned across the heavens tire the names of
Innumerable ones whose deeds of heroism mark them as men and women of real character, who
meet the full measure of (bid's own plan. So. to the memorj of the souls who passed through Death
into Life Eternal amid the Hood, and to the service of their surviving kin and sorrowing neighbors,
who cherish their memory while mourning their departure, in humble submission to the will of an
All-Wise ami Inscrutable Providence, this booklet is dedicated.

clarence ii. Greene.

• . NORTh YTON

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SIDE

SIDE

y LEHMAN ST.lWERDALE

SHOWING 'HOW 'TRAVEL SWEETS WERE TORN
AFTER WATER HAD RECEDED

HAYES- ST RIVER DALE

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WA'SHOUf of TRAOjtf at UNION 'DEPOT

GERMANTOWN' STREET EAST from BROADWAY0

MAIN ST WVERDALE

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^ PHOTO. 3YMAYFJELL

VIEW OF FIRE ZONE
LOOKING WEST FROM ST CLAIR

DEBRIS at MORTOJV $ BROWN

VIEW ON THIRD ST

VIEW OH EAST MONUMENT A V£

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SOUTH SUMMIT ST

LOOKING EAST OH THIRD

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LEHMAN ST, RIVERDALE

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REAR OF COOPER MEDICINE CO CANAUSX

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VIEW IN EDGE MONT OR GBEEN CASTLE

3rd ST EAST FROM MIAMI CITY

CATHERINE ST. NORTH

fioin FAIN GROUND

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MAIN J3T. LOOKING SOUTH

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BRQAHV&££_ &. ojT GERMAN-TOWN

BR(J/mST NORTH

J?om MORTON AW.

BUINS of FIRE on

ST CLAIR ST.

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WEBSTER ST LOOKING NORTH FROM 2ND ST

PALMER ST FROM MIAMI BLVD

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RUINS qTFIRE from.
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SCENE AT WHITE CITY

VIEW NORTH DAYTON FROM WEST END HERMAN ST BRTDGE

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THE OLD MULE CAR IN SERVICE AFTER FLOOD

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MAIN ST. NORTH ftcm EMMETT

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

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